Rebecca’s attorney, Steve Kardell, says she wasn’t fired for an overly agressive interview, but but rather for advocating changes at the TV station. In a press releaase, he states: “I’m confident the EEOC will uncover what our investigation has unveiled. Fox4 wanted my client to advocate change in the community through her reports, but to keep silent in improving working conditions in the newsroom.”
That interview showed Rebecca questioning the motives of a 70 yr-old man who had shot two intruders dead in the span of one month and injured one other. The man’s weapons had been confiscated, but he had just finished buying another shotgun when Rebecca interviewed him.
After viewing that video, many journalists, including myself, and several other journalism organizations determined Rebecca did not act inappropriately during the interview that eventually caused her dismissal from the station. NAHJ and UNITY early on called for her reinstatement.
Rebecca told Ed Bark yesterday she was fighting to regain her reputation: “I want my reputation back because how am I going to find another job? Nowadays when you apply for a job, no matter where it is, the first thing they’re going to do is google your name.”
If you do google her name, the entries link her to stories and vicious comments on her suspension.